Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-08-05
THE OLDEST MAN ON EARTH.


G'rom the st. Louls-Globe Democrat)
James James, a negro and citizen of the
United States who resides at Santa Rosa,
Mexico is probably the oldest man on
earth. He was born near Dorchester, 5.
c., in 1152 and while an infant was re-
moved to Midway River, Ga, in the same
year that Franklin brought down electric.
ity from the thunder clouds. In l112 there,
was quite an immigration into South
Caro.ina and his master, James James
IRON whom he takes his nance, moved
near Charleston, ;. c., in company with
number of his neighbors. On June A.,
lH6, when "A years of age, large British
fleet, under Sir Peter Parker, arrived off
Charleston. The citizens had erected
palmetto-wood fort on Sullivan's island,
with 70 guns, manned by 800 troops, under
Colonel MOultrie, and on June % the
British made an attack by land and water,
and were compelled to withdraw after
10-hours' conflict TWAS during this fight
that Sergeant Jasper distinguished him
self by replacing the flag, which had been
shot away upon the bastlon, on new
staff. His master, James James, manned
one of the guns in this fight, and jim,
with four other slaves, were employed
around the fort as general laborers. Jim
followed his master throughout the war,
and was with General Moutrie at Port
Royal, ;. c., February 3, 49, when Moul-
trie defeated the combined British forces
OF Provost and Campbell. His master
WAS surrendered by General Lincoln at
Charleston, ;. c., on February II, $780, to
the British forces, and this euus Jim's
military career.
He remembers of the rejoicing in 1872
throughout the country in consequence of
NashingtOn's election to the presidency,
he then being 40 years of age. In this
| year his first master died. aged about GO
years. Jim then became the property of
| 'Marse Henry" (Henry James, owning
! large estates and about 80 slaves, near
Charleston On account of having raised
! "Marse Henry" Jim was special favorite
with his master and was allowed to do as
| he chose. His second master, Henry died
| in 1915, about So years of age, and jim,
now at 63 years of age, became the pro-
perty of James James, Henrys second
son. In 1888 the railroad from Charleston
| to Savannah was completed, then the
longest railroad in the world and Jim,
with his master, took trip over the road,
and was shown special favors on account
of his age, now 81. James James was 10
years of age at his fathers death, and
when he became of age inherited large es-
tates slaves, etc, among whom were ''old
| Uncle Jim" and his family. James James
| lived in South Carolina until 1866, when
he moved to Texas with all his slaves.
James desired that his slaves should be
free at his death, and in 1858 moved into
Mexico so that they could be free before
his death. James returned to the United
States and died in Texas, and in 1865, after
there were no longer slaves in the United
| States, Uncle Jim's children and grand
children returned to the United States.
Five years ago, at the age of 1870, Jim
could do light chores, but subsisted most
ly by contributions from the citizens, but
for the past two years, not being able to
walk, he remains for the most part in his
/ little jacal, his wants being supplied by
generous neighbors.